NUUK, Greenland
Greenland’s political leaders delivered a unified and firm rebuke Friday to President Donald Trump’s renewed suggestion that the United States take control of the island, asserting that its future belongs solely to its people.
The statement, issued jointly by Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and the leaders of Greenland’s four main political parties, was a direct response to Trump’s comments earlier in the day.
“We don’t want to be Americans, we don’t want to be Danes, we want to be Greenlanders,” they declared.
Trump reiterated his interest in acquiring Greenland, a semiautonomous territory of Denmark and a NATO ally, calling it a strategic asset. “The easy way” would be preferable, he said, warning that otherwise Russia or China might seize it.
“If we don’t do it the easy way, we’re going to do it the hard way,” Trump added, without elaboration. The White House later confirmed it was evaluating a spectrum of options, including the potential use of military force.
The Greenlandic leaders dismissed the premise entirely. “As Greenlandic party leaders, we would like to emphasize once again our wish that the United States’ contempt for our country ends,” their statement read.
They firmly reiterated the foundational principle of self-determination: “Greenland’s future must be decided by the Greenlandic people.”
The exchange marks a significant escalation in rhetoric over the strategically significant Arctic island, highlighting a stark clash between U.S. geopolitical ambition and Greenlandic sovereignty.
By James Kisoo
